Chai Brady
A renowned “tower of strength” priest who ministered to people devasted by the 1993 Greysteel Massacre in the North has died.
Fr Stephen Kearney (76) was the curate of Faughanvale and Lower Cumber parish in Derry before he died on Friday. He gave strength to the families of the eight people who were killed after UDA gunmen entered the Rising Sun bar in Derry and opened fire.
Despite being transferred to other parishes he kept in contact with the people from Derry village. The current parish priest, Fr Noel McDermott, told the Belfast Telegraph: “The people of Faughanvale and Lower Cumber express sincere condolence to the Kearney family on the death of Fr Stephen.
“He was curate at the time of the Greysteel shooting tragedy and was a tower of strength to so many families and individuals during that time and since.
“Fr Stephen kept in touch with the parish over the years and was generous with his time, especially at significant anniversaries of the Greysteel tragedy.
“His kindness and compassion will be long remembered by the people of the parish.”
Fr Kearney’s funeral took place on Saturday.
The Mass was celebrated at St Mary’s Church, Killyclogher.